Daniel 11 Commentary

“And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.”

These four; Ptolemy, Seleucus, Antigonus, and Antipater, kings of Egypt, Syria, Asia, and Greece, chap. vii. 6., and viii. 22. Besides the other generals, (Calmet) foreigners began to erect new kingdoms in what had formed the empire of Alexander. (St. Jerome; Livy xlv.; Calmet)

“And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.”

South: Ptolemeus, the son of Lagus, king of Egypt, which lies south of Jerusalem. (Challoner) —St. Irenæus (iv. 43.) observes, that all prophecies are obscure till they be fulfilled. History shews that this relates to Ptolemy. The kingdoms of Egypt and of Syria are more noticed, as they had much to do with the Jews. (Worthington) — Ptolemy took Cyprus (Calmet) and Jerusalem. (Josephus, Jewish Antiquities xii. 12.) — His princes (that is, one of Alexander’s princes) shall prevail over him; that is, shall be stronger than the king of Egypt. He speaks of Seleucus Nicator, king of Asia and Syria, whose successors are here called the kings of the north, because their dominions lay to the north in respect to Jerusalem. (Challoner) — Nicator means a “conqueror.” (Haydock) —This king was master of all from Media and Babylonia to Jerusalem. (Appian, &c.; Calmet) —Philadelphus was more powerful than his father. (Worthington)

“And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times. join: Heb. associate themselves an: Heb. rights he that begat: or, whom she brought forth”

South. Bernice, daughter of Ptolemeus Philadelphus, given in marriage to Antiochus Theos, grandson of Seleucus, (Challoner) and king of Syria. She brought a great “dowry,” and was therefore styled Phernophoros. Antiochus agreed to repudiate Laodicea; but he soon took her back. Fearing his inconstancy, she poisoned him, and slew his son by Bernice. This lady in a rage mounted her chariot, and having knocked down the cruel minister of such barbarity, trampled upon his body. The rest pretended that the infant was still living, and delivered up a part of the palace to Bernice, yet slew her as soon as they had an opportunity. (St. Jerome; Usher, year of the world 3758; V. Max. ix. 10. &c; Calmet) — Young. Hebrew, “her conductors, her child, and he that,” &c. (Haydock) — Her physician, Aristarchus, persuaded her to enter the palace. Her women and Egyptian guards defended her for some time. (Polygæn. Strat. viii.; Calmet)

“But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail: in: or, in his place, or, office”

A plant, &c. Ptolemeus Evergetes, the son of Philadelphus. (Challoner) — Three of Bernice’s maids of honour (Haydock) covered her body, and pretended that she was only wounded, till her brother Evergetes came and seized almost all Asia, Callinicus not daring to give him battle. (St. Jerome, &c.; Vaillant. A. 79. Lagid.; Calmet) — He laid waste Syria. (Worthington)

“And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north. their precious: Heb. vessels of their desire”

Gods. He took back what Cambyses had conveyed out of Egypt; and it was on this account that the people styled him “benefactor.” (St. Jerome; Calmet) — North. Seleucus Callinicus. (Challoner) — If Evergetes had not been recalled into Egypt by civil broils, he would have seized all the kingdom of Seleucus. (Just. xvii.) — As he passed by Jerusalem (ver. 9.) he made great presents, and caused victims of thanksgiving to be offered up. (Josephus, contra Apion ii.)

“But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress. shall be: or, shall war return: or, be stirred up again”

His sons. Seleucus Ceraunius and Antiochus the great, the sons of Callinicus. (Challoner) — The former was poisoned after three years’ reign, as he marched against Attalus. (Just. xxix.) — Antiochus the great reconquered many provinces from Egypt, but was beaten at Raphia, on the confines, and lost Cœlo-syria. (Calmet) — He shall, &c. Antiochus the great. (Challoner) — He prosecuted the war, as his brother was prevented by death. (Worthington)

“And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.”

South. Ptolemeus Philopator, son of Evergetes. (Challoner) — He was an indolent prince; but his generals gained the victory. (Calmet)

“And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up ; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.”

Prevail. Many fell on both sides. (Haydock) — But Antiochus did not prevail; (Worthington) or rather Philopator neglected the opportunity of dethroning his rival, (Calmet) as he might have seized all his dominions, if he had not been too fond of ease. (Just. xxx.) — He followed the suggestions of his proud heart, when he attempted to enter the most holy place of the temple; and though he was visibly chastised by God, he would have vented his resentment on the Jews, if Providence had not miraculously protected them. (3 Machabees; Calmet) See Ecclesiasticus l. (Haydock)

“For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches. after: Heb. at the end of times, even years”

Times, seventeen years after the battle of Raphia. When Philopator was dead, and his son Epiphanes not above five years old, Antiochus and Philip of Macedon basely attempted to divide his dominions. Scopas engaged Antiochus, but lost the battle, and all that Philopator had recovered. (Calmet) — Many revolted in Egypt on account of the arrogance of Agathocles, who ruled in the king’s name, ver. 14. (St. Jerome)

“And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall. the robbers: Heb. the children of robbers”

Vision. Many Jews, deceived by Onias, erected a temple in Egypt, falsely asserting that they fulfilled the prophecy of Isaias, xix. 19. (Worthington) — This Onias was the son of Onias III, who was slain at Antioch, chap. ix. 25. (Haydock) — The temple of Onion was called after him. All allow that he transgressed the law, by offering sacrifice there after God had pitched upon Jerusalem. But this was done (Calmet) under Philometor, forty-seven years (Usher) or longer after those times, when Epiphanes fought against Antiochus. The rebellion of the Jews against Egypt may therefore be meant. It was decreed that they should be under Antiochus, that his son might cause them to fall, (Calmet) and punish them for their crimes. (Haydock)

“So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand. the most: Heb. the city of munitions his: Heb. the people of his choices”

Cities; Sidon, Gaza, and the citadel of Jerusalem, &c. (Calmet)

“But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed. glorious: or, goodly, etc.: Heb. land of ornament”

Upon him. Antiochus shall come upon the king of the south. — Land: Judea. (Challoner) — Consumed, or “perfected.” Antiochus was very favourable to the Jews; (Calmet) invited all to return to Jerusalem, and furnished what was requisite for the sacrifices. (Josephus, Jewish Antiquities xii. 3.)

“He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him. upright: or, much uprightness: or, equal conditions corrupting: Heb. to corrupt”

Kingdom, viz. all the kingdom of Ptolemeus Epiphanes, son of Philopator. (Challoner) — The Romans interrupted Antiochus, who resolved to lull the young prince asleep, till he had subdued these enemies. (Calmet) — Of women. That is, a most beautiful woman, viz. his daughter Cleopatra. — It, viz. the kingdom of Epiphanes; but his policy shall not succeed; for Cleopatra shall take more to heart the interest of her husband than that of her father. (Challoner) — He came with her to Raphia, and gave her Judea, &c. for her dowry, reserving half of the revenues. Hebrew and Greek have, “to corrupt her;” (Calmet) Vulgate eam; as he wished his daughter to act perfidiously, that he might seize the whole kingdom. (Haydock) — Epiphanes and his generals were on their guard, and Cleopatra took part with her husband. (St. Jerome)

“After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him. for: Heb. for him the reproach: Heb. his reproach”

Islands, near Asia. He also went into Greece, and was master of that country when the Romans declared war against him. (Calmet) — Of his reproach. Scipio, the Roman general, called the prince of his reproach, because he overthrew Antiochus, and obliged him to submit to very dishonourable terms, before he would cease from the war. (Challoner) — Protestants, “for a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease, without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him.” (Haydock) — Being defeated at Magnesia, he chose the wisest plan of avoiding fresh reproach, by making peace, though (Calmet) the terms were very hard. (Livy xxxvii.) — He jokingly observed, that he was obliged to the Romans for contracting his dominions. (Cicero, pro Dejot.)

“Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.”

Found. Antiochus plundered the temple of the Elymaites to procure money; but they, (St. Jerome) or the neighbouring barbarous nations, rose up and slew him. (Just. xxxii.)

“Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle. estate: or, place a: Heb. one that causeth an exacter to pass over anger: Heb. angers”

One more vile. Seleucus Philopator, who sent Heliodorus to plunder the temple; and was shortly after slain by the same Heliodorus. (Challoner) — He reigned about twelve years; and had sent his own son, Demetrius, to be a hostage at Rome instead of Epiphanes, whom he designed to place at the head of an army to invade Egypt. Hebrew, “one who shall cause the exactor to pass over the glory of the kingdom,” the temple, 2 Machabees iii. (Calmet)

“And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. estate: or, place”

One despised; viz. Antiochus Epiphanes, who at first was despised and not received for king. What is here said of this prince, is accommodated by St. Jerome and others to antichrist, of whom this Antiochus was a figure. (Challoner) — He lived and died basely; as the origin and end of antichrist will be ignominious. (Worthington) — All that follows, to the end of chap. xii., regards Epiphanes. He had no title to the crown, which he procured by cunning, and held in the most shameful manner. He canvassed for the lowest offices, so that many styled him Epimanes, :”the madman.” (Diod. in Valesius, p. 305.; Calmet)

“And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.”

Fighter. That is, of them that shall oppose him, and shall fight against him. (Challoner) — Heliodorus, who had murdered his brother and usurped the throne, and Ptolemy Epiphanes, were discomfited. The latter was making preparations against Seleucus, and said that his riches were in the purses of his friends, upon which they poisoned him. (St. Jerome) (Calmet) — Covenant, or of the league. The chief of them that conspired against him; or the king of Egypt, his most powerful adversary. (Challoner) — This title belongs to antichrist, who will join the Jews, and be received as their Messias. (St. Irenæus v. 25.; St. Jerome, &c. Jo. 543.) (Worthington)

“And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.”

People. Ephiphanes pretended to be tutor of Philometor. But the nobles of Egypt distrusted him; whereupon he came to a battle, near Pelusium, and the young king surrendered himself. His uncle thus took possession of Egypt with surprising facility. Yet the people of Alexandria crowned Evergetes, which occasioned a civil war. (Calmet)

“He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time. peaceably: or, into the peaceable and fat, etc forecast: Heb. think his thoughts”

Places. Theodotion reads, “Egypt,” omitting the b, (Haydock) which gives a good sense. — (Calmet)

“And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.”

The king. Ptolemeus Philometor. (Challoner) — Epiphanes came under the pretext of restoring Philometor, and gained a victory over Evergetes; but returned in Syria, that the two brothers might weaken each other, (Calmet) while the Syrians formed designs against both. (Haydock)

“Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.”

Slain. This was the perfidious policy of Epiphanes, who expected that the two brothers would destroy each other, so that he might easily seize Egypt, of which he kept the key, retaining the city of Pelusium. They were however reconciled, and reigned together. The Scripture often represents that as done which is only intended.

“And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief , and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed. hearts: Heb. their hearts”

Two kings: Epiphanes and Philometor. — Time. Epiphanes, vexed that he should thus be duped, returned again into Egypt, ver. 21.(Calmet)

“Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.”

Riches, taken in Egypt (Calmet) and in Jerusalem. (Haydock) — The people had refused to receive Jason; and Epiphanes treated them in the most barbarous manner, profaned the temple, &c., 1 Machabees i. 23., and 2 Machabees v. 21. (Calmet)

“For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.”

Galleys. Hebrew, “ships of Chittim.” (Haydock) — The ambassadors probably came in vessels belonging to Macedonia, (Calmet) which they found at Delos. (Livy xliv.) — Romans. Popilius and the other Roman ambassadors, who came in galleys, and obliged him to depart from Egypt. (Challoner) — He was only four or seven miles from Alexandria, and went to meet the ambassadors, who gave him the senate’s letter, ordering him to desist from the war. He said he would consult his friends: but Popilius formed a circle round him with his wand, requiring an answer before he went out of it. Hereupon the king withdrew his forces. (Polyb. xcii.; V. Max. vi. 4.) — Succeed. Apollonius massacred many Jews on the sabbath, 1 Machabees i. 30. — Against. Hebrew, “respecting.” Protestant: “have intelligence with them,” &c. (Haydock) — These wretches prompted him to make such edicts, for he was attached to no religion, 2 Machabees iv. 9.

“And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. maketh: or, astonisheth”

Arms, (brachia) or strong men, Apollonius, Philip, &c., (2 Machabees vi.) and likewise the senator from Antioch, who executed his decrees. (Calmet) — Abomination. The idol of Jupiter Olympius, which Antiochus ordered to be set up in the sanctuary of the temple, which is here called the sanctuary of strength, from the Almighty that was worshipped there. (Challoner) — Other idols were set up, and the people were compelled to sacrifice. (Calmet) — Yet even in the hottest persecutions some remain faithful. (Worthington)

“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. corrupt: or, cause to dissemble”

Dissemble. Thus acted the officers and apostate Jews. — Know. Such were the Assideans, Eleazar, and the Machabees.

“And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.”

Learned; the priests, Matthathias, &c., Malachias ii. 7.

“Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.”

Help. The victories of the Machabees were miraculous. — Deceitfully, like those who took the spoils of idols, and were slain. Hebrew may imply, “secretly.” (Calmet)

“And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. try them: or, try by them”

Fall, or become martyrs. (Haydock) — Such were Eleazar, &c. (Calmet) — Another time, after death; (Haydock) or the perfect deliverance shall take place later, ver. 27.

“And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.”

Every god. “He plundered many (Calmet or most; pleista.; Haydock) temples.” (Polyb. Athen. v. 6.) — The Samaritans, and even the priests of the Lord, obeyed the impious decree; so that the king looked upon himself as a sort of god. — Accomplished against the Jews, when Epiphanes shall be punished.

“Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.”

God. He laughed at religion, yet sometimes offered splendid presents and victims, which shewed his inconstancy. (Calmet) — Women. He kept many concubines, (Diod.) and committed the greatest obscenities publicly: mimis et scortis. (St. Jerome) — Hebrew may have quite a different sense. He had no regard for the sex, (Calmet) killing all indiscriminately. (Grotius)

“But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. forces: or, munitions: Heb. Mauzzim, or, as for the almighty God, in his seat he shall honour, yea he shall honour a god, etc pleasant: Heb. things desired”

The god Maozim. That is, the god of forces or strong holds. (Challoner) — Mahuzzim denotes “strong ones,” (Haydock) guardians, &c. Dr. Newton (Diss.) explains, the king (ver. 36) of the Roman state; and supposes that here the guardian saints and angels are meant, whose worship he shews “began in the Roman empire, very soon after it became Christian. This exposition seems far preferable to that which interprets” Jupiter or the heavens, and understands the idol set up by Epiphanes. See Univ. Hist. x. Parkhurst. — If these authors speak of the inferior veneration shewn to saints and angels in the Catholic Church, it had a much earlier commencement, being coeval with religion itself. But only the blindest prejudice can represent this as idolatrous, and of course this system must fall to the ground. (Haydock) — Others suppose that Mars, Hercules, Azizus, or Jupiter, may be designated. Hebrew, “He will rise up against all, (38) and against the strong God (of Israel, ver. 31., and chap. viii.. 10.; Calmet) he will, in his place, worship a strange god, ” &c. (Junius) — None of the ancestors of Epiphanes had ever adored Jupiter on the altar of holocausts. (Calmet) — He and antichrist adore either the great Jupiter or their own strength. (Worthington)

“Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain. most: Heb. fortresses of munitions gain: Heb. a price”

To. Hebrew, “in the most strong holds, with,” &c. (Haydock) — He built a fortress near the temple, styled Maoz, (Ezechiel xxiv. 25.) on account of its strength. (Calmet) — Glory. He shall bestow honours, riches, and lands, upon them that shall worship his god. (Challoner) — He will entrust the strong places to them.

“And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.”

Fight. Epiphanes made war on Egypt, till the Romans forced him to desist. The prophet explains his preceding attempts, to which he only alluded, ver. 29, 30.

“He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. glorious: or, goodly, etc.: Heb. land of delight, or, ornament”

Land; Egypt, or rather Judea. (Calmet) — Ammon. He will not divide his forces. (St. Jerome)

“But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.”

Ethiopia. Hebrew, “the Lubim and Cushim shall be at his steps.” Theodotion reads, “in their fortresses.” He had troops form these nations, or Egypt was guarded by them.

“But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.”

North. Judas continued victorious. Armenia (Calmet) and Parthia rebelled. (Tacitus v. 8.) — Many. Epiphanes left three generals and half his army to destroy the Jews. (Calmet)

“And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. glorious: or, goodly, etc.: Heb. mountain of delight of holiness”

Apadno. Some take it for the proper name of a place; others, from the Hebrew translate it, his palace. (Challoner) — He fixed his royal tent between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. (Worthington) —Porphyrius explains this of the march beyond the Euphrates, which St. Jerome does not disapprove. Apadno may denote Mesopotamia, which is styled Padan Aram. — Glorious. Hebrew Zebi, (Calmet) or Tsebi, (Haydock) may allude to Mount Taba, where the king perished, without help, 1 Machabees vi. 11., and 2 Machabees ix. 9. St. Jerome and many others explain all this of antichrist, and no doubt he was prefigured. The like events will probably take place again towards the end of the world. But as the particulars cannot be ascertained, we have adhered to the history of Antiochus. (Calmet)